The Seduction
Page 10
“She was honest and trusting like you.”
“She was special to you,” I say.
He inclines his head. “My sister.”
A painful lump rises to my throat. I don’t know what happened to her, and I’m afraid to ask. Whatever it is, it’s affected him deeply.
“She trusted some bastard and he hurt her. Badly. She’s never recovered.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too.” He pulls his hand away and waves for the waitress.
Discussion over. I respect the boundaries he’s set and take a quick look at the menu.
“What can I get you?” the older woman asks. She looks at me first.
“Egg-white omelet with spinach and American cheese.”
His lips lift in a grin. “Figures. I’ll have the AM Special.” He hands her his menu along with mine.
“Bacon with that?”
“Yep.”
“Home fries?”
He nods.
She pockets her pad and walks away.
I look at him and shake my head and laugh. “What comes with the morning special?”
“Scrambled eggs and a double stack of pancakes.”
And bacon and home fries. I can’t help it. I grin.
“What? I’m a growing boy.”
“You’re no boy,” I say, and my eyes immediately widen. I’ve done it again. Open mouth and pop out the thing on my mind.
“No?” He folds his arms on the table and leans across from me. “What am I?”
A hot-blooded man. That I manage to keep inside. “I—”
Before I can reply, the trilling of my cell saves me. I pull it from my small purse and answer immediately. “Sean! I didn’t expect to hear back from you so soon.”
“I sent my guy to deal with your car. Looks like someone beat me to it. You’ve got two new tires.” He sounds harassed, and I feel bad he’s dealing with my shit for no reason.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know who would…” My gaze falls on Zach. He’s staring and he’s not happy.
I have no idea why his mood suddenly changed, but something tells me exactly who took care of my car.
“I’m really sorry you sent someone for no reason,” I tell Sean. “I think I know who handled things. I just didn’t know he’d do it.”
“He?” Sean immediately latches on to the one word in the sentence that matters. “A friend of yours?” he asks, his tone dark. Concerned.
“Yes.” I don’t mention Zach’s a new friend or that his intentions are so much more than that.